Combined closure and identification device



April 30, 1929.

R. L. STRATFORD COMBINED CLOSURE AND IDENTIFICATION DEVICE Filed Jan. 24, 1929 IN VEN TOR.

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A TTORNEYS of bevera e-containingbottles.

5 same until removed.

PATENT OFFICE.

ROLAND L. STRATFORD, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

COMBINED CLOSURE AND IDENTIFICATION DEVICE Application filed January 24, 1929. Serial No. 334,657.

The present invention, relating, as indicated, to a combined closure and identification device, is more particularly directed to anew and improved means for the inclusion in a container, such means adapted to identify the particular beverage contained in the container, and in conjunction with other identifying means in similar containers, to permit of the collection of insignia which represent any desired word or name, such for example as the name of the beverage. The general purpose of the invention is the provision of a means for advertising any given beverage and for promoting the use thereof, as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means and particularly pointed out in the claims; the annexed drawin and the following description setting fort in detail certain struc ture embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a sealed container Fig. 2 are views in side elevation and perspective of the three elements which when assembled constltute crown or sealing means for the container; Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of one of theelements ofFig. 2; Fig. 4 is a similar view of a sealing washer; Fig 5 iBsa view in perspective of the crown proper; 1g.

modification of the above device; and Fig.

6 is a transverse central section of a 7 represents the collection of identifying elements when removed from various containers for forming the name of the beverage.

In Fig. 1 I have shown a container in the form of a bottle 1, which may be of glass or other material, bearing on its side the name of the beverage. The bottle is sealedwith the ordinary crimped disk'or crown 2..which is now in general use for sealing various types The or inary crown 2 consists of a metal disk and a washer, usually of cork, the washer approximating'the size of the top of the bottle and the disk bein crimped over the washer and over the top 0 the bottle, there'b compressin the washer, slightly against t e rim of the ttle neck and effectively sealing the In Fig. 2 I have shown the crimped crown as a sealed bottle, of

hereinafter fully described or disk 2, the sealing washer 3 and an intermediate disk 4, which may be of metal, paper, cardboard or other material, and on which there is stamped, imprinted or otherwise formed, one of the letters 5 of the name of the beverage, in this case the letter C. Ob-

viously, this identifying letter, number or 7 other indicia, maybe placed either on an intermediate element in the form of the disk 4, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, or on the concealed side of the washer 3 or on the lower concealed side 5 of the crown 2, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, respectively.

By thus marking the various crowns, or supplying with the crowns additional ele ments or layers carrying various indicia, it is possible to permit users of a given beverage to collect a series of such elements which will spell either the name of the beverage or some given term or phrase, and for which the manufacturer of the beverage may offer either .a suitable prize or an additional quantity of to be concealed until the crown has been removed from the bottle.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a further modification, in which there is rovided a crown 2 and sealing washer 3 provi ed on its lower surface with a letter or other indicia 6, which is then covered and concealed by means of a thin disk of foil or other material rex'novably secured to the lower surface of the washer, either by a suitable adhesive or by being of a sufiicient size to engage against the u per rim of the bottle when the crown. is app ied thereto. In this device the indicated symbol is of course concealed until the crown is removed and my invention may e employed instead of the one explained, change eing made as regards the structure herein disclosed, rovided the means stated by any of the ollowing claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

.1 therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. A sealing element for containers consisting of a closure element, having an inner layer of material, and ada ted to be snugly layer of material, said closure being adapted fitted about the opening 0 a container and to be snugl fitted about the opening of a conprovided with indicia on its inner surface in tainer, and? said sealing element being proa position concealed until after removal of 5 vided with indicia on an inner surface m a said closure element from the container and 15 position concealed until after removal of said disassembly of said layer of material thereclosure element from the container and disfrom. assembly of said layer of material therefrom. Signed by me, this 21 day of January, 1929.

2. A sealing element for containers con- 10 sisting of a closure element, having an inner ROLAND L. STRATFORD. 

